Automatic means for operating valves of gas-generators.



' J. C. SHAW.

AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR OPERATING VALVES OF GAS GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27,1912.

1,184,692. Patented May 23, 1916.

10 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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I. C. SHAW.

AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR OPERATING VALVES 0F GAS GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27,19I2. 1,184,692.

Patented May 23, 1916.

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AUTOMATIC MEANS FUR OPERATING VALVES 0F GAS GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27,1912. Patented May 23, 1916.

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J. C. SHAW.

AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR OPERATING VALVES 0F GASGENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27. 1912.

1 1 84,692. Patented May 23, 1916.

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AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR OPERATING VALVES 0F GAS GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED IULYlT. 1912. 1,1 84,692. Patented May 23, 1916.

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Patented May 23, 1916.

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AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR OPERATING VALVES 0F GAS GENERATORS.

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J. C. SHAW.

AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR OPERATING VALVES OF GAS GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27.1912.

Patented May 23, 1916.

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I. C. SHAW.

AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR OPERATING VALVES 0F GAS GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27 IQIZ. 1,184,692. Patented May 23, 1916.

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AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR OPERATING VALVES 0F GAS GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27.1912.

Patented May 23, 1916.

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J. C SHAW. AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR OPERATING VALVES 0F GAS GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27.1912,

Patenfled May 23, 1916.

I0 SHEETS-SHEET l0.

awe/whoa ALW O. K/W r/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. SHAW, OF ASTORIA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE BARTLETT HAYWARD (30., OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1916.

Application filed July 27, 1912. Serial No. 711,885.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN C. SHAW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Astoria, Long Island, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Means for Operating Valves of Gas-Generaas to require the manipulation of a number.

of valves in proper sequence and at intervals so that considerable skill and constant attention on the part of the operators is required to produce a gas of uniform quality; to avoid errors in the actuation of the valves and losing a run or causing explosions and to produce the best results in quantity and quality of which the generator is capable.

The operation of a water gas set, as it is termed in the trade is divided into two periods, to-wit the blow and the run. The blow serves to raise the temperature of the fuel bed and checker bricks to produce an incandescent heating surface and the run is the actual gas-making period.

Presuming that the generator is charged with fuel the blow is started in the follow ing manner. The stack-valve and upper hydrogen valve being open, the operator will open the generator blast valve to admit air under pressure below the fire. The gases then produced by the combustion pass to the carbureter where they burn on meeting a current of air which has been admitted by the opening of a carburetor blast valve. Any excess of combustible gases may be burned in the superheater by opening the superheater blast valve. The three valves, to-wit: generator blast, carbureter blast and superheater blast, as well as the stack valve and upper hydrogen valve, which were open when the blow period was started, will all remain in the open position for a short period of time, say from two to four minutes, after which the operator must close the valves beginning with the superheater blast valve, then the carbureter blast valve and lastly the generator blast valve, and the first period of the cycle, or the blow period, will have been completed, thus leaving the fuel in the generator in an incandescent condition for the second period of the cycle or the run.

The run is the actual gas making period which is started by the operator first opening the up steam valve, to admit steam under the incandescent fuel and immediately after the opening of said up-steam valve, the operator will close the stack valve and then open the oil valve. After a predetermined interval of time between the beginning and the end of the run period, and about the middle of the run period, the operator will close the rip-steam valve and then open the down-steam valve to effect a reversal of the gas by passing the steam down through the bed of coals instead of up therethrough. This condition then remains until the end of the run period whereupon the operator will close the oil valve, then close the downsteam valve; reverse the gas and again open the rip-steam valve for a few seconds, closing it immediately and finally by opening the stack valve complete the cycle of operation.

From the foregoing statement it will be seen that the complete cycle involves a considerable number of valve opening and closing operations which the gas maker must perform in from every fiveto eight minutes and as the operations set forth must be car ried out within a few seconds of specified times the operator is necessarily under constant strain. Furthermore the operation of the various valves must occur in the proper order or sequence and at proper times intervals as the failure to do so may produce dangerous conditions in or about the generator.

The present invention therefore has for its main object to provide a mechanism or a series of mechanisms to automatically actuate the valves throughout the entire cycle of operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide means to coact with the automatic valve actuating means whereby to interlock the various valves and prevent movement of any valve out of its proper time.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for effecting an adjustment of the time intervals between the actuation of the valves whereby the period between the opening and closing or the closing of one valve and the opening of another valve may be increased or diminished.

Another object is to provide mechanism whereby the blow and run periods may be simultaneously varied, the prolongation of one period automatically effecting a decrease in the other.

A still further object is to provide hydraulic means for actuating valves and electrical means for controlling the hydraulic actuting means, and another object is to provide a time mechanism to determine the movement of the controlling means.

With these and many other objects and advantages in View, as will more readily appear in the accompanying specification, the drawings herewith, illustrate one form of mechanism for carrying the invention into practical efiect, but it is to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the mechanism shown.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, illustrates a gas generator to which the various valves and actuating devices are shown connected,the precise positions of the valves being more or less diagrammatically shown for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the inventive idea involved. Fig. 2, shows a side elevation of one-of the hydraulic valve-actuating motors orvdevices. Fig. 3, illustrates a top plan view of the same. Fig. 4, shows in side elevation one of the interlocking-box contacts with which each hydraulic motor may be provided. Fig. 5, illustrates a sectional plan of the same. Fig. 6, shows a vertical cross-section through the same, the section being taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4, and looking in the direction indicated by the dart. Fig. 7 is a similar section taken however on the line 77 of the said Fig. 4, and looking in the direction of the dart. Fig. 8, shows a rear elevation of the adjustable cam-timing mechanism. Fig. 9, illustrates an end elevation of the same. Fig. 10, shows a vertical sectional detail through the cam-timing frame and illustrates one of the cams and the pair of coacting contact plates and the actuator which is interposed between the plates and the cam which controls those plates. Fig. llfillustrates a front elevation of the upper portion of the frame which carried the contacts and cams. Fig. 12, shows a vertical longitudinal section through the tubular camshaft pinion therein and cams thereon. Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are details of the three forms of adjustable cams employed on the cam-shaft. Fig. 16, is a cross-sectional detail through the cam shaft and one of the cams thereon,the section being taken on the line 16-16 of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 shows the cam-parts illustrated in Fig. 15 in a separated condition,the several parts heirs shown in perspective and in ing mechanism, the cams and valve-actuating motors and interlocking contacts, and.

Figs. 22 to 29 are diagrammatic views of the various interlocking contacts.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings the generator, 1, is shown in a more or less diagrammatic way and the various valves have been positioned with a view of illustrating them rather than for the purpose of showing their preferred or actual positions in practice.

The particular construction of the generator is immaterial to the present invention, but in the present instance the generator proper is designated, 2; the superheater, 3, and the carbureter, 1.

A generator blast valve, 5, is provided to control the passage of air under pressure below the fire; a carbureter blast valve, 6, and a super-heater blast valve, 7, are also provided. for their usual and well-known purposes. In addition to the valves mentioned the apparatus also has a stack valve, 8; an oil valve, 9; up-steam and down-steam valves, 10, and, 11, respectively, and in the present arrangement a boiler valve, 12, which is so interposed between a boiler, 13, and the generator as a whole that the waste heat which passes during the blow and would ordinarily be wasted, is utilized to generate steam by passing through the boiler structure, 13, before it is allowed to escape.

A conduit, 14, extends vertically at the side of the generator and its lower end communicates with a branch conduit, 15, which connects with the upper end of the generator proper,a valve, 16, being interposed between said conduit and branch.

A valve, 17, at the lower end of the generator controls communication between the latter and a conduit, 18, which latter may be made to communicate with the casing of valve, 16, by means of the conduit, 14.

Vithout going into the details of gasmaking it is deemed sufficient to point out briefly that during the blow the generator blast valve, 5, is opened; the carbureter blast, 6, is then opened and the superheater blast, 7, is next opened,all in comparatively rapid succession. The boiler valve, 12, is neXt opened and the stack valve, 8, then closed,this latter valve (8) having been left open at the termination of the previous gas-making or run period. This condition of openv valves remains for a period,

say from 2 to 4 minutes during which time the blast is conducted through the boiler and utilized to generate steam. Next, the stack valve, 8, is again opened; the boiler valve, 12, then closed and finally the super-heater blast valve, 7; the carburetor blast valve, 6. and the generator blast valve, 5, are closed as rapidly as possible, in the order named, and the blow period is terminated.

At the beginning of the run or the actual gas making period, it is the practice to open the up-steam valve, 10, to admit steam beneath the fire; the stack valve, 8, is then closed and the oil valve, 9, opened in quick succession, and this condition prevails for about one-half of the run or gas-making period. Then the down-steam valve, 11, is opened to admit steam on the upper side 01": the fire and the valves, 16, and, 17 are simultaneously operated to shut oil conduit, 15, and to allow the gas to pass through valve, 17, and conduit, 18,.to conduit, 14:, which is termed reversing gas, because the steam now passed down through the fire instead of up through it as just previous, and the lip-steam valve, 10, is then closed. This last condition will prevail for the second half of the run or gas-making period. The oil valve, 9, is then closed; up-steam valve, 10, again opened; down-steam valve, 11, closed; valves, 16, and, 17, again reversed to force the gas from beneath the fire; stack valve, 8, again opened and finally the upsteam valve, 10, closed, and the run period thus completed.

It will thus be seen that these numerous valve operations must be carried out during each cycle of the apparatus, in say, from every five to eight minutes and constant attention is required.

In carrying out my invention I employ suitable motor or power devices to efiect an actuation of the valves,each valve being provided with an actuator. The particular form of these motors or valveac'tuators is not essential to the present invention, and the same may derive their power, electrically, pneumatically or by hydraulics. I11 the present instance I show a motor structure of the hydraulic form wherein suitable plunger-rods or pistons are operated to efiect an actuation of the particular valve with which each is connected.

By referring to Fig. 1 or" the drawings it will be noted that these valve-actuating motors are shown diagrammatically the numeral, 19, designating the motor for actuat ing the stack-valve, S; 20,the motor for actuating the generator blast valve, 5; 21, that motor which operates the carbureter blast valve, 6; 22, the motor for the super-heater blast valve, 7; 23, the motor which operates the boiler valve, 12; 24-, the motor which actuates the up-steam valve, 10, downsteam valve, 11, and gas valve, 16, and, 17, respectively; 25, the motor which actuates the oil valve, 9, and, 26, that motor which cuts oft all steam at valve, 27, from both valves, 10, and, 11.

Inasmuch as valves, 10, 11, 16 and 17 are utilized to effect what is termed a reversal of the run, in that at the first part of the run the steam is admitted below the fire and passes up through the same, and during the second part of the run, steam is cut ofi from beneath the fire but is admitted above the fire and made to pass down through the latter, and the valve, 16, and, 17, are reversed to effect this reversal of the run, all of said valves may be actuated by a single motor, which in this instance is designated, 2 1.

Thus it will be understood that when the motor, 2 1, is moved in one direction, one steam valve will be opened and another closed and at the same time one of the valves, 16, or, 17, will be opened and the other closed, and when the motor, 21, is actuated in a reverse direction a reversal of the valve positions will result so that at all times two valves will be opened and two closed.

An entire cut-off of the steam is effected by means of valve, 27, which is actuated by motor, 26.

Suitable rods, shafts and levers are interposed between the various motors and the valves which they actuate respectively to effect the operation of one by the other, and the only ones of these devices to which it is deemed advisable to refer particularly, are the connections between the carbureter blast valve, 6, and its actuating motor, 21, and the super-heater blast valve, 7, and its motor,

It will be noted, by referring to Fig. 1, that a plunger or piston rod, 28, projects from motor, 21, and is connected to a vertical rod, 29, whose upper end is sustained by an arm, 30, on the end of a horizontal shaft, 31. This shaft is sustained in suitable hangers, 32, and carries a second arm, 33, which is pivotally connected to the lower end of a ertical rod, 31. The upper end of this rod, 31, in the present illustration is pivotally attached to one end of a bar, 35. which latter is connected to the stem, 36, of carbureter blast valve, 6. The super-heater blast valve, '7, has a stem, 3?. to which one end of an arm, 38, is attached while the other end of the said arm is rigidly connected to a tubular shaft, 39, which slips over and is sustained on the horizontal shaft, 31.

A second arm, 10, also carried on said tu bular shaft, 39, is connected to the upper end of a vertical rod, 11, while the lower end of this rod, 41, is connected to the plunger or piston rod, 4-2, of the motor, 22. i

The operation of the respective motors or valve-actuators in their order, is effected through a motor-control mechanism which, in the present instance has the form of a series of circuit closers so that the making or closing of a circuit which controls a motor will effect an operation of that motor.

The motor-control mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 8 to 18 inclusive of the drawings, and particular attention is directed for the present to Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, wherein, 43, designates a base plate in which a suitable vertical frame is sustained,said frame comprising vertical end plates, 41, and, 15, and connecting bars, a6, 17, and, 1-8, which extend horizontally between and connect the said end plates.

A tubular shaft, 49, extends horizontally between and is sustained at its opposite ends in suitable bearing, 50, on the said end plates, 14, and, 15, and at one end said tubular shaft is provided with a stud shaft, 51, which is rigid thereon and whose outer end carries a gear, 52.

A long pinion, 53, extends longitudinally in the tubular shaft, 19, and said pinion has a threaded end, 54, which projects beyond the end of the tubular shaft and is provided with a portion 55, which is angular in cross-section, as shown in Figs. 12 and 18 of the drawings.

Provision is made for rotating the pinion, 53, with respect to the tubular shaft, 49, for adj usting purposes which will presently be described, and by referring to said Figs. 8, 12 and, 18, the adjusting devices will now be described.

A circular disk, 56, has a central annular flange, 57, which fits over the end of the tubular shaft, 19, and said disk seats against the end of said tubular shaft and is held rigidly thereon by means of a set screw, 58. A. pinion, is secured to one side of the disk, 56, by means of a suitable pin, 60, and a gear, 61, has an angular central opening which conforms in shape to and engages the angular portion, 55, on the projecting end of the internal pinion, 53, so as to couple the gear and the said internal pinion and compel them to turn in unison. An adjusting disk-plate, G2, has position at the outer side of the pinion, 59, and gear, 61, and said plate carries a circular rack, 63, which is secured thereto by suitable pins, 6 1, and which engages the pinion, 59, as clearly shown in broken lines in Fig. 18, of the drawings. It is believed to be obvious from the foregoing explanation that if disk, 62, is turned by hand, rack, 63, will also turn, and pinion 59, will rotate so as to turn, gear, 61. As gear, 61, is fast with respect to the internal pinion, 53, its rotation or adjustment with respect to the tubular shaft, 499, will cause a similar rotation or adjustment of the internal pinion with respect to said tubular shaft. To look the internal pinion, 53, and tubular shaft in their adjusted positions, a sleeve, 65, encircles the outer end of the internal pinion and a circular thumb nut, 66, engages the threaded portion,-5st, of said pinionend so as to bind the sleeve against the outer face of the diskplate, 62. To make the adjustment, it will be seen that nut, 66, will first be loosened, then disk-plate, 62, turned which will move the rack, pinion and gear to effect a proper revolution or partial revolution of the internal pinion, 53. A suitable bracket, 67, may be provided on the disk, 56, with a pointer, 68, orojecting over the surface of the disk plate, 62, whereby to enable the amount of rotation of one plate with respect to the other to be readily determined.

The tubular shaft, 49, is provided with a series of cams, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, and, 77, respectively,there being one cam for each valve-actuating motor employed in the apparatus. ,In Fig. 12 of the drawing two cams, 71, and, 72, are omitted because that figure is made on an enlarged scale to better illustrate the vertical section which it shows,the omitted cams however are the same in construction as cams, 70, 73, and, 74. Each of the cams, 69, to 77, inclusive is made rigid on the tubular shaft, #19, by means of a hub or collar, 78, and a set screw, 79, so that all of those cams revolve together with the tubular shaft. All of the said cams with the exception of the cam, 76, are alike in construction, and a description of one will supply to all except said cam, 76.

Each cam comprises two spaced-apart disks, 80, and, 81, respectively which are secured together by means of screws, 82, and are held in a spaced-apart condition by means of spacer-washers, 83, shown in Fig. 8. Each disk, 80, is provided with a bearing screw or pin, 8%, which extends horizontally across the space between the two disks and pivotally sustains a pinion, 85, and a gear, 86, which are side-by-side and rigid with respect to each other. The disk, 81, is provided with a circular opening, 87, in which the gear, 86, has position. By referring to Figs. 12 and 13 it will be noted that the tubular shaft, 19, is provided with circumferential slots, 88, and that said slot communicates with the circular opening, 87, so that the gear, 86, may project circumferentially into the slot, 88, and engage the internal pinion, 53, in the tubular shaft, 49.

Between the disks, 80, and, 81, each cam has a segment cam-plate, 89, whose outer circumferential edge, 90, has a cam face, 91. Each cam plate, 89 has a central opening throughwhich the tubular shaft, 49, extends so as to form a bearing on which the cam plate may be rotated, and around the central opening each plate has a segmerit-rack, 92, which meshes with the pinion, 85.

From the foregoing explanations it is to be understood that when the internal pinion, 53, is rotated within and with respect to the tubular shaft, 49, it will rotate gear, 86, and at the same time turn pinion, 85, and the latter, by meshing with the segment camplate, 89, will move the latter between the disks, 80, and, 81, so that its cam face, 91, will be projected from between the cam faces, 93, of the disks as shown in Fig. 13, or may be retracted and moved back or partially back between the faces, 93. As the faces, 93, of the disks and the face, 91, of the segment plate from the working faces of the cam, it is obvious that by projecting the segment plate from between the disks said working time of the cam will be lengthened and by retracting it the working time shortened.

It is to be understood that the cams, 69, to, 77, (not including cam, 76) do not all have the same set or position on the tubular shaft, 4C9, but may be placed thereon to work in time to suit the purpose for which they are intended. In the present instance however, it happens that cams, 69, 75, and, 77, are adjusted to practically the same positions while cams, 70, 71, 72, 7 3, and, 74, .are all positioned substantially alike on said tubular shaft, 4:9.

is an example of the operation of the cams suppose some of them be positioned on the shaft, -19, and the segment plates of such cams having position entirely between the working faces, 93, of the disks, 80, and, 81, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 14. To extend the working period and correspondingly lessen the inactive period, the internal pinion, 53, will be rotated in the direction of the dart at the center of Fig. 14, gear, 86, will be rotated in a reverse direction, as indicated by the dart; pinion, 85, which turns in the same direction with gear, 86, will engage rack, 92, and turn the segment plate, 89, so as to project its working face, 91, from between the disks, 80, and, 81, which face 91, is flush with the working faces, 93, of said disks. Obviously the further the segment plate is projected to that same extent will the working time of the cam be prolonged, as will be seen by the circumferential broken lines, 91*, in said Fig. 11, and at the same time the inactive period of the cam will be lessened. In all cases however the period of inaction plus the period of working will equal the cycle of the cam and the prolongation of one period will effect a correspondingly decrease in the other period. The adjustment therefore of all the cams is simultaneously madeby the rotation of adjusting disk-plate, 62, on the outer end of shaft, -19, and pinion, 53, and the devices are locked in the adjusted positions by means of nut, 66.

By referring to Figs. 8, 12, 15, 16 and 17 the construction of cam, 76, will be described. This cam is employed to control the action of the motor which actuates the reverse valves, 16, and, 17, and also the upsteam and down-steam valves, 10, and, 11, respectively all of which are actuated in the present instance by the one motor 24;. This cam, 76, comprises an outer side disk, 96, which has a circumferential cam face, 97; a segment plate, 98, with a cam face, 99, and also with an arm or extensions, 100, to which a pinion, 101, is rotatably mounted. The disk 96, has a central opening, 102, through which the tubular shaft, l9, extends and the segment plate, 98, has a central hole, 103, for a similar purpose so that when on the shaft, the segment plate may have position at the inner side of the disk, 96, and with its face, 99, flush with the face, 97, of the disk. Next to the segment plate, this cam also has a disk plate, 10%, with a central opening, 105, for the passage of shaft, 19, and also has a semi-circular slot, 106, with a segmental rack, 107, around therein and around the opening, 105. This disk plate, 101, also has a cam face, 108, of the same shape and length as the face, 97, on disk, 96, and which is separated from said face 97, by the interposed segment plate, 98. These three plates 96, 98, and, 1041, are mounted on the shaft, -19, in the order recited and the pinion, 101, will have position in the slot, 106, of plate, 104. Screws, 109, extend through the plate, 96 then through spacing washers and enter the plate, 104, but do not engage the interposed plate, 98, which is loose on the shaft between said plates, 96, and, 101, and is capable of movement between the said plates as will presently appear. A fourth plate or disk, 110, also forms a part of cam, 76, and this plate has a central opening through which shaft, 49, extends and carries a gear, 111, on its outer side and a pinion, 112, on its inner side. Both gear, 111, and pinion, 112, are mounted rigidly with respect to each other but are rotatable on a pin, 113, so as to revolve together. This fourth plate, 110, is of less diameter than plates, 10-1, or, 96, and is carried on a collar, ll-l, which latter is secured rigidly on the shaft, 49, by means of a set screw, 115, as shown in Fig. 12. By referring to Fig. 16, of the drawings, it will be noted that the tubular shaft, 19, is provided with a circumferential slot, 116, and that the gear, 111, projects through said slot and engagesthe long pinion, 53, on the interior of said tubular shaft. By means of this construction when the long pinion, 53, in the tubular shaft is rotated by hand, which only occurs when adjusting the cams, the gear, 111, and pinion, 112, will be rotated and as gear, 112, meshes with the segment rack 107, on plate, 10 1 the latter will be rotated on the tubular shaft, 19. As

plates, 104, and, 96, are secured together by the screws, 109, the rotation of, 104, will effect a corresponding rotation of plate 96.

Between the plates, 104, and, 96, as above explained, is the segment plate, 98, which latter is also loose on the tubular shaft, and a rotation of this plate is effected by means of the pinion, 101, one side of which also meshes with the segment rack, 107 and whose diametrically opposite side meshes with a stationary rack-plate, 117, which is rigidly secured on and is stationary with the plate, 110. This rack plate, 117, by engaging the pinion, 101, will require the latter to advance in a circular path when it is revolved by the segment rack, 107, thus causing the cam face, 99, of the segment plate, 98, to be projected from between the cam faces, 97, and, 108, of plates, 96, and, 104, and thereby coact with those faces to increase length of the contact period of the cam, as will presently be explained.

From the foregoing explanation it is to be understood that all of the cams, 69, to, 77, may be adjusted simultaneously to lengthen or shorten the contact period, by a manipulation of the long pinion, 53, in the tubular shaft, 49, in the manner hereinbefore set forth. In addition to these cams the tubular shaft carries a cam, 118, which will be hereinafter referred to as a stop cam and by means of which the entire apparatus may be shut down at the end of a cycle, as will hereinafter be set forth.

The stub shaft, 51, at the end of tubular shaft, 49, (see Fig. 12, of the drawings) extends through the end plate, 44, of the frame, and the outer end of said stub shaft carries a gear, 52. A bracket bearing, 120, is sustained at the side of plate, 44, and a shaft, 121, extends horizontally between said hear ing and plate, and carries a pinion, 122, which meshes with the gear, 52, and also carries a ratchet wheel, 123. The ratchet wheel and pinion are rigid on the shaft, 121, and are turned together or at the same time. A spring-pressed pawl, 124, allows the ratchet wheel to turn in one direction but prevents its rotation in a reverse direction.

A pair of electro-magnets, 125, are mounted above the base, 43, and a suitable frame, 126, pivotally carries an armature'bar 127, with an armature, 128, on the under side thereof which projects over the ends of the electro-magnets and in close proximity to the cores, 129, of the latter. A suitable rod, 130, depends from the armature bar, 127, and a spring, 131, is attached to said rod whereby to yieldingly draw the lower end thereof in such a direction as will normally hold the armature bar and armature away from the magnet cores. The free end of the armature bar terminates adjacent to the periphery of the ratchet wheel, 123, and is provided with a pawl, 132, which contacts with the ratchet wheel so as to impart a partial rotation to said wheel each time the magnets are energized and the armature and armature-bar are drawn down. The energization of these electro-magnets is effected intermittently and at regular intervals, through a pendulum or equivalent mechanism which will presently be described and each time the magnets are energized the armature bar will move the pawl, 132, so as to partially rotate the ratchet wheel, pinion, gear, 52, and finally the cam shaft, 49, and cams thereon. By this means the cams are intermittently rotated at each energization of the electro-magnets, 125. Upon each deenergization of the magnets, the spring, 131, shown in Fig. 9, will raise the armature bar and pawl, 132, so as to return the pawl where it can take a fresh bite on the ratchet wheel.

By referring to Figs. 8 and 10 of the drawings it will be noted that the bar', 48, which extends horizontally between and connects the end plates, 44, and, 45, is provided with a plurality of hinge plates, 133. In the present instance ten of these hinge plates are provided on the bar, 48,-the plates being spaced apart and there being one plate for each cam on the tubular shaft, 49. Each hinge plate pivotally sustains one end of a caln bar, 134,the bars extending from the plates and projecting over the circumference of the cams so that each cam will be provided with a cam bar. The forward or free end of each cam-bar, 134, is preferably provided with two rollers, 135, and, 136, respectively. The roller 135, rests upon the circumference or working face of the cam whereby to obviate friction and wear, and the roller, 136, is provided for a similar purpose as will presently more fully appear.

From the foregoing explanation it will be understood that as the cams revolve, the rollers, 135, and the free ends of the cam bars, 134, will be raised and lowered according to the faces on the cams. It is this raising and lowering of the cam-bars that is utilized to close and open the circuits which control the operation of the motors or valve actuators,-the connections for the circuits being made and broken by means of suitable contact bars which will now be described, reference being made particularly to Fig. 10, of the drawing.

The upper bar, 46, which connects the end plates, 44, and, 45, is provided with a strip of insulation, 137, which latter is rigidly secured thereto by means of screws, 138.

A plurality of binding posts, 139, are secured to the insulation so as to provide one binding post for each cam and each cam-bar, 134. A contact bar, 140, is secured'to each post, 139, and each bar depends from the post toward the bar, 134, below it and in the present instance, the lower end of each contact bar has a lateral bend, 141. The horizontal bar, 47, which also extends be tween and connects the end plates, 44, and, 45, also has an insulating bar, 142, which latter is held in place by the screws, 143, and a plurality of contact posts, 144, are secured in a spaced-apart condition along said insulating bar and each of these posts sustains a horizontal contact bar, 145, which extends over the cam which controls it and has its free end resting upon the roller, 136, on the cam-bar, 134. The free end of each bar, 145, also has a lateral bend, 146, which is normally spaced from, but is in close proximity to the bent end, 141, of the depending bar, 140, with which it coacts. These bent ends, 141, and, 146, are preferably provided with platinum contacts.

By means of the arrangement of contact bars, 140, and, 145, over the respective canr bars, 134, the upward movement of the latter by means of the respective cams, will cause the contact bar, 145, to be raised into connection with the contact bar, 140, so as to establish a circuit through those bars as long as said bars are held in contact by the working faces of the cams beneath them.

It has heretofore been explained that the cam shaft is actuated by intermittent movements of the armature-bar, 127, through corresponding energizations of the electro-magnets, 125. The means employed to effect this is shown in Figs. 19 and 20 of the drawings to which reference will now be made.

A casing, 147, is located at any convenient place about the gas plant and it is preferable that the same and also the motor controlling device or cam mechanism be in close proximity, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, although this is not essential. The casing preferably has a glass door, 148, at the front in order that the mechanism on the interior may be seen without the necessity of opening the door. A partition, 149, extends vertically in the case adjacent to the rear wall thereof and said partition is pro vided with a central vertical slot, 150, with suitable guide bars, 151, extending vertically at opposite sides of the said slot. A grooved pulley, 152, is mounted on a bracket at the rear of the partition and at the upper end of the slot, 150, around which a flexible cord, chain or belt, 153, extends. At the lower end of the case, and on the interior thereof, is a bearing bracket, 154, through which a horizontal shaft, 155, extends. The outer end of this shaft is provided with a knurled wheel or other suitable device, 156, by means of which the shaft may be rotated. or par tially rotated, with the fingers. The inner end of the shaft carries a sprocket wheel, 157, around which a sprocket chain, 158, passes. 'This chain extends up at the rear of the partition and its two ends are attached to the ends of the cord, chain or belt 153, which has been referred to as passing around the pulley, 152, so that the said cord, chain or belt together with the sprocket chain will form an endless flexible band between the upper pulley and the lower sprocket which may be made to travel by operating the wheel, 156.

A movable head, 159, is slidably carried between the guide bars, 151, anl has a rear wardly-extending lug, 160, which is securely fastened to one stretch of the flexible band or cord, 153, so that by moving the cord, as above described, the said head may be raised or lowered for adjusting purposes, presently to be more fully explained. An arm, 161, projects forwardly from the head 159, and extends through the vertical slot, 150, so as to project on the outer side of the partition. A flexible metal tape or strap, is secured at the upper end of the case and depends therefrom and the lower end of said tape carries a pendulum weight, 163. The tape or strap, 162, passes through a vertical slit, 164, in the arm, 161, of head, 159, so that the beat of the pendulum may be varied by raising or lowering the arm on the strap.

Above the pendulum weight and on the interior of the case there is a horizontal bracket, 165, which latter projects from and is sustained by the partition, 149. This bracket sustains a short oscillating bar, 166., which latter has a horizontal position and a rod, 167, depends from said oscillating bar and has a rearward bend, 158, at its lower end which passes through a central opening, 169, in the pendulum weight, 163. The oscillating bar, 166, also has a con'iparatively short upwardly-projecting arm, 170. with an outwardly-extending horizontal pin, 171, at its upper end.

Above the oscillating bar, 166, are two sets of electro-magnets, 172, and, 173, respectively each of which is mounted on a suitable bracket, 174. which latter are carried by the partition, 149. The elcctro-magnets.

172, have an armature, 175, from which a spring contact plate, 176. depends and has position at one side of the pin, 171, while the magnets, 173, have an armature. 177, which carries a depending spring contact plate, 178, which latter plate has position at the other side of the said pin. 171. Normally when the magnets. 172. and 73. are

det nergized and the rod. 167, and arm, 176.

of the oscillating bar, 166, are in a straight up-and-down or vertical position. neither of the spring contact plates. 176. or. 178, is in contact with the pin. 171, but upon the swinging of the pendulum the pin, 171, will contact with the first say plate 176, and thereby close a circuit through the electrolnagnets, 172, which will actuate the arinature, 175, and thereby aid in swinging the pendulum back toward the other contact plate, 178, where a similar operation takes place. This intermittent contact and actuation of armatures, 175, and, 1'77, and the contact by pin, 171, with plates, 176, and, 178, results in the intermittent energization of the electromagnets, 125, to impart a retary motion to the cam shaft, e9, which will hereinafter be more fully set forth in connection with the explanation of the circuits.

To start the pendulum a rock-shaft, 179, is provided at the bottom of the pendulum case which shaft has an operating arm, 180, on its outer end and on its inner end the said shaft carries an upwardlycurved bar, 181, from which diverging actuating arms, 182, project. These arms project through a slot, 183, in the partition and extend up at the rear of the pen lulum weight, 163, where they may be rocked one way or another to start the pendulum by contacting with the inner end of the bend, 168, on the lower end of rod, 167.

The foregoing explanations have set forth the arrangement of valve devices in the gas apparatus which are to be automatically actuated; has explained the pendulum tim ing mechanism for intermittently actuating the time cams, and has described the cam devices and the manner of adjusting the same. The construction therefore next to be briefly explained will be the motor mechanisms which are connected directly, or through levers and shafts, with the valves whereby the latter are actuated. This mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings to which attention is now directed.

in so far as the present invention is concerned the motor mechanism may be very different from that shown, it only being necessary that some suitable means of suflicicnt power he provided which will be set in motion to move the valve or valves to which they are connected through the action of the cams and which will be restored to normal position in time with the cam action.

In the present instance the motor proper (shown in Fig. 1 in a diagrammatic manner and designated thereon as 19 to 26 inclusive) has a cylinder, 184, from one end of which a plunger or piston rod, 185, extends, a piston, not shown, being provided in the cylinder and carrying the said "plunger or piston red. A suitable valve casing, 186, is provided at one side of the cylinder in which a piston valve, also not shown, is carried. A water inlet, 18?, is provided in this valve casing and water outlet ports, 188, serve to carry off the water after it has served its purpose in the cylinder, 18 1-, to actuate the piston in the latter. It will thus be understood that the piston and the piston 'rod, 185, of cylinder, 18-1, is actuated, in the present instance hydraulically through the actuation of the valve in the casing, 186. The valve 111 casing, 186, has a stem, 189,

which projects on the exterior thereof and by means of which the valve on the interior is operatedto admit water to one or the other side of the piston in cylinder, 18%, and to allow water from the other side of said piston to pass out of the cylinder, 18%, and escape through one or the other of ports, 188.

A rock lever, 190, has one end pivotally connected to the upper end of valve stem, 189, and the other end of said lever extends laterally to and terminates beneath a stem of an air-actuated piston valve (also not shown) which is carried in a valve casing, 191, on the outer end of a horizontal bracket, 192. An air-inlet pipe, 193, enters the easing, 191, and admits air thereto for the actuation of the valve therein so as to effect a movement of the rock lever. The rock lever, 190, is pivotally sustained between its ends from the lower pendant end of an cecentric bar, 19 1, which is carried by an cecentric, 195, which latter is mounted on a horizontal shaft, 196. This eccentric shaft, 196, is connected at one end by a lever, 197, which extends laterally therefrom and a rod, 198, has its lower end pivotally connected to a horizontal bracket, 199, which is rigidly secured on piston rod, 185, and its upper end is pivotally connected to lever, 197, so that as the piston rod is actuated, the eccentric shaft, 196, will be rocked.

The passage of air through pipe, 193, into casing, 191, is controlled in the present instance by means of a solenoid, 200, whose casing is carried on the side of the cylinder, 191,-the wires, 201, and, 202, of which are shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing explanation it is to be understood that the actuation of solenoid, 200, through the closing of a pair of contacts, 140, and, 1 15, by means of one of the cams on cam shaft, 19, will cause air under pressure to enter casing, 191; actuate the valve h rein and by the movement of said valve move lever, 190; stem, 189, and the valve in casing, 186, so that water may be admitted to cylinder, 18%, and actuate the piston and the piston-rod, 185, therein. The piston rod, 185, it will be understood, by. referring to the diagrammatic view shown in Fig. 1, will either connect direct, or through levers and shafts, with the valve or valves in the gas apparatus which that particular rod is to actuate. It is also to be understood that there will be a plurality of cylinders like that designated, 18%, and that there may even he one of such cylinders for each valve in the apparatus.

Each cylinder rod, or motor, however, is set in operation through its solenoid and the latter is actuated by the circuit formed by movement of the particular cam on the cam shaft which is to control the particular valve.

By pivotally sustaining the rock lever, 190, from the depending eccentric bar, 19 1, a slow movement is imparted to the valve stem, 189, after its initial movement, for after said stem moves its valve to start the admission of water into cylinder, 181-, and pis n rod, 185, begins its downward or outward movement, the rod, 198, and lever, 197, will be actuated by said piston, 185, and the eccentric shaft, 196, will be rotated so as to operate the eccentric, 195, and cause the eccentric bar, 191, to move downwardly, thus lowering the pivot point of rock lever, 190, as the valve stem, 1S9, lowers and thereby causing an inlet of water through casing, 186, into cylinder, 181, and a corresponding movement of piston or plunger rod, 185, and the valve of the gas generating apparatus with which said plungcr rod, 185, is connected.

Each gasvalve actuating motor is provided with an interlocking mechanism, the preferred mechanical construction of which will now be explained, reference being made to Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive of the drawings.

On top of cylinder, 181, there is a bracket which carries a box or case, 203,the latter being provided with detachable covers, 201, at opposite sides thereof and also having a bottom, 205, which is provided with wireentrance openings, 206, for the wires from the solenoids of the valve-actuating motors to enter, as will presently be more fully explained.

The box shown in Figs. to 7, is provided with four longitudinally-extending supporting rods, 207, and, 208, and, 209, and, 210. The rods, 207208, extend horizontally between and are supported by the opposite end walls of the box, and these two rods are located in the same vertical plane, and to one side of the central line through the box. The rods, 209 and 210, have a similar relation but are located at the other side of the vertical center of the box. These rods, as their name implies serve as supports to sus tain adjustable contact blocks, 211, and 212, respecti\'*ely,the block, 211, being sustained by rods, 207 and 20S, and the block, 212, being sustained by the rods, 209 and 210. In order to provide for adjusting the positions of the blocks on the rods, each block is secured to the inner end of a screw rod, 213, which latter extends through an end wall of the box with which it has threaded engagement so that by turning the screw rod the contact block attached at the inner end of that red may be moved along the two supporting rods toward one end or the other as desired.

It will be noted thatin the box shown in Figs. 41 to 7, the rods, 207 and 208, carry a. second contact block, 214, and that this latter block is held against movement on the rods by means of stop lugs, 215, which pro ject from the top and bottom walls of the box. In some instances, as shown in the diagrammatic views of the boxes in Figs.

to 29, inclusive a variation of the contact blocks is made and it is therefore to be understood that the particular arrangement of contacts shown in the detail views of Figs. 1 to 7 is not adhered to in carrying out the inventive idea, although the construction 01 devices shown may be the same. Each contact block is provided with two contact plates, 216, and, 217, respectively, which are insulated from each other and are provided with binding posts, 218 and, 219, for the connection of the wires. 7

It will thus be understood that in the form of box now described there are four contact plates at one side and two contact plates on the other side of the vertical center of the box and that the contact plates are arranged in pairs,the two normally insulated plates on each block constituting a pair. In view of this arrangement of contact plates, provision must be made to effect a closing of the circuit between the two plates of any pair and the means for doing this will now be explained.

The box has two horizontally-extending guide rods, 220, and, 221, respectively which are arranged in a central vertical line in the box and between the two sets of rods, 207, and, 208, on the one side, and the rods, 209, and, 210, on the other side, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Between the two guide rods, and also extending through the box there is a reciprocable stem,

222. The guide rods, 220, and, 221, sustain a central contact block, through which latter the reciprocable stem, 222, extends and is rigidly attached. This block, 223, carries at one side a contact plate, 221, and at tie other side is provided with another contact plate, 225. The plates, and, 225, are of suflicient width to engage both of the spaced contact plates, 216, and, 217, whenever the block, 223, is moved to a position to force said plates, between those contacts.

in the position shown in Figs. 4-, 5 and 7, it will be noted that the blocl' 223, is so located that plate, 221, will close the circuit '4 between the pair of control plates, 216, and, 217, on the block, 214-. In like manner, it the block, 223, were moved to the opposite end of the box the plate, 22%, would close the circuit between the contacts, 216, and 217, on

block, 211, while plate, 225, at the same time would close the circuit between the pair of contacts, 216, and, 217, on the block, 212. It will therefore be noted that the movable block, and its plates, 221, and, 225, control the circuits which lead to and from the box and that said block and plates are actuated by the reciprocable stem, which extends through the end wall of the box and is connected as will now be explained.

ho "izontally By now referring to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings it will be noted that the stem, 222, which projects from the interlock boX is connected by one end of a link bar, 226, and that the other end of said bar is pivot-- ally attached to the free end of an arm, 227,

' any motor, which being connected to one or more valves in a gas generator is the equivalent of the movement of such valve or valves and also in view of the fact that upon such movement of a valve or valves the contacts in the interlock box, 203, are actuated, it may readily be seen that when one valve or a plurality of connected valves, is or are actuated the contacts may be shifted so as to make or break a circuit with other motors and thereby prevent or cause the movement of other valves, and in this way efiect an interlocking or produce such conditions in and about the generator as will maintain proper working and safety conditions. In carrying out this automatic interlocking of the various valves each valveactuating motor or mechanism will be provided with an interlocking device,-each device being separately and diagrammatically shown in Figs. 22 to 29 inclusive and also shown in the wiring diagram of Fig. 21, to which attention is now directed.

Fig. 22 illustrates that interlocking device which is employed in connection with the purge or stack valve designated, 8, in the diagrammatic view of the generator shown in Fig. 1. The valve, 8, is shown in the present instance as operatively connected with motor, 19, and the interlocking device for said motor, 19, is provided with a movable circuit closer, 228, and three sets or pairs of stationary contact plates, 229, 230, and 231, respectively. The generator blast valve, 5, is actuated in the present instance by motor, 20, and has an interlocking device with a movable circuit closer, 232, and three sets of stationary contact plates, 233, 234, and 235, respectively as seen in Fig. 23. The carbureter blast valve, 6, is shown in the present instance as being operated by motor, 21, and has an interlocking device with a movable circuit closer, 236, and three pairs orsets of stationary contact plates, 237, 238, and, 239, respectively as shown in Fi 24. Superheater blast valve, 7, in the present instance is illustrated as operatively connectedwith motor,

22, and the interlocking device for this motor has a movable circuit closer, 240, and two sets or pairs of contact plates, 241, and, 242, respectively, as shown in Fig. 25. The boiler valve, 12, is shown connected with motor, 23, and the interlocking device for this valve and motor, as shown in Figs. 21 and 26, has a movable circuit closer, 243, and three sets or pairs of contact plates, 244, 245, and, 246, respectively. Steam valve, 27, also has separate motor, 26, in the present instance and the interlocking device for this motor, shown in Fig. 27, has a movable circuit closer, 247, and three sets or pairs of stationary contact plates, 248, 249, and, 250, respectively. The oil valve, 9, is actuated in the present instance by means of motor, 25, and the interlock actuated by this motor is shown in Fig. 28, as having a movable circuit closer, 251, and two sets or pairs of stationary contact-s, 252, and, 253, respectively with one or the other of which sets or pairs of contacts said circuit closer may be made to contact.

In the arrangement of apparatus shown in the present example the one motor, 24, is so connected as to actuate valves, 16, and, 17, to effect a reversal of the gas and to also actuate the up and down steam valves, 10-, and, 11, andrin connection with this motor, 24, there is providedan interlocking device having a movable circuit closer, 254, and a single pair or set of stationary contacts, 255, as shown in Fig. 29, of the drawings.

It is to be understood that the particular arrangement of interlocks and motors is entirely immaterial and is merely illustra tive of a way of carrying out the inventive idea, it being desired to provide an automatic valve actuating mechanism which will also automatically effect the interlocking to prevent the opening of some valves when other valves are open.

As hereinbefore explained the several motors or valve actuators, 184, are each set in motion, in the present instance through the action of a solenoid or equivalent device, and in order to better explain the wiring and connections between said solenoids and the cam-actuated contacts, the several solenoids are diagrammatically illustrated in the wiring diagram in Fig. 21 of the drawings wherein, 256, designates the solenoid for the purge-valve motor, 19; 257, the solenoid for the generator blast-valve motor, 20; 258, the solenoid for the carburetor blastvalve motor, 21; 259, the solenoid for the superheater blast-valve motor, 22; 260, the solenoid for the motor, 23, which actuates the boiler valve; 261, the solenoid which controls the motor, 26, which actuates the steamsupply valve, 27 262, that solenoid which controls motor, 25, that actuates oil valve, 9, and, 263, the solenoid which controls motor, 24, whose function is to oper- 

